Ancient China

ChinaAbout 1000 years after the Indus valley

people built their first cities, another civilization began in China.

Started in the fertile valleys between the Yellow River and the Yangtze Rivers. -This made China very isolated from other

civilizations. -Only other outsiders near them were the

Mongols.

China SOCIETY

Family was central to society and greatly honored, and everyone had a clear role in society. The elderly had privileges and power The young had very little privileges or power. Women were subservient to men. Society was divided between the nobles and

peasants

ChinaReligion and family were linked

together. Spirits of family were worshipped and were

thought to bring good or bad fortune Every family paid respect to its ancestors

and made sacrifices in their honor.

China The Rulers

People also gave obedience and respect to the ruler.

The ruler had supreme responsibility for the welfare of the people.

Like Egypt, China’s history was marked using dynasties. (rulers)

From Ancient Times until the 1900’s, China has been ruled by one dynasty after another.

Shang, Chou, Ch’in, and Han

China (Shang Dynasty) Developed writing

-Each character stood for an idea and not a sound, making it very difficult to learn.

-People could read it without knowing how to speak it, allowed people with different languages the ability to communicate.

China

They needed someone to steer them the right direction….

3 people emerged

ChinaCONFUCIUS

One philosopher that urged social harmony was named CONFUCIUS

China Confucius

China He believed that order and good government

could be restored if society was reorganized around five basic relationships:

o    The relationship between ruler and subject o    The relationship between father and son o    The relationship between husband and wife o    The relationship between older brother and

younger brother o    The relationship between friend and friend

ChinaAnother philosopher was Lao Tzu,

Believed that nature was the key to order and harmony.

Believed that a universal force guides all things: rivers, breezes etc.

His followers adopted Taoism

China Lao Tzu

ChinaThe third philosopher was Leglists.

Believed that a highly efficient and powerful government was the key.

Leglists stressed punishments and rewards

China Leglists

China

Together the ideas of these philosophers would eventually helped unite China

China Han Dynasty led by Wu-ti

proclaimed Confucianism the official set of beliefs of the government

Created a university for people to study writing Created a 4000 mile trade road to Persia and the

Mediterranean world that came to be known as “The Great Silk Road”